If you have electrical work planned, you should get it taken care of by a professional. Anything that has to do with electricity comes with its own risks. Since your safety is the most important thing, you’ll want to do what it takes to protect your household. Avoiding DIY electrical work is smart for multiple reasons.
Safety Concerns
A lot of power runs through the wires in your home. If it’s not harnessed properly, significant problems could arise. First of all, you could get shocked, and if severe enough, this could cause major health issues. Also, improper electrical work can lead to sparks. These sparks could scorch something in your home, and a flammable material could potentially catch on fire. In a worst-case scenario, this fire could engulf the entire home.
Insurance Concerns
If your home does get damaged by a fire, you’ll probably hope for an insurance payment to help you cover the resulting costs. Unfortunately, if the electrical work has been performed by an unlicensed person, the insurance company may not cover any damage. Home insurance policies come with many stipulations, and if any electrical work has not been done properly, the policy may be invalid. This could really affect your finances and add more trauma to an already troubling situation.
Legal Concerns
Most municipalities have a long list of requirements that homeowners have to follow. It’s very likely that any electrical work must be done by a licensed and insured electrician in order for your home to meet building codes. If an inspector finds out that you’ve done an electrical project on your own, you’ll probably be hit with expensive fines. In addition, you may have to pay an electrician to redo the job. If your improper electrical work doesn’t get caught right away, it will likely affect you at some point. Additionally, your DIY project will probably be uncovered by an inspector if you try to rent or sell your home.
Financial Concerns
Doing a project all by yourself may seem like it would make sense from a financial perspective. You won’t have to pay someone to come to your place, and you can buy all the materials you need on your own. However, there is another perspective to consider. You might feel like you’re getting a good deal on your materials, but remember that a professional electrician may be able to get materials at a steep discount.
Another thing to consider is the need for the right tools. You might end up having to buy power tools and other materials that you’d only use once or twice. In many situations, homeowners don’t get things right on the first try, and they have to make repeat trips to the hardware store to make up for their mistakes. Sometimes, those mistakes can be quite costly. What if you accidentally ruin your drywall when trying to install a fixture or break a light while trying to hang it from a ceiling? Doing things on your own doesn’t necessarily mean that you’d be saving money in the long run.
Other Concerns
An electrician may have access to supplies that regular homeowners don’t. In some cases, these supplies may work better in your home than typical items that you can find at a local home improvement store. Plus, the difference in the quality of work will likely be noticeable. You are likely to be reminded of any aesthetically unpleasing errors you make on a daily basis. Don’t settle for mediocre results when dealing with electrical needs.
Call Us for Help
We can take care of an electrical project for you if you live in South Central Texas and the surrounding areas. Our business was founded in 1938, and we’ve grown into a well-known company that offers a wide variety of services. We can handle wiring, electrical upgrades, surge protection, interior and exterior lighting, and electrical inspections. Our technicians are licensed, bonded, and insured. You can also turn to us for HVAC services and solar and internet solutions. Additionally, we are a Tesla Powerwall certified installer. Contact GVEC Electrician Services to schedule an appointment or find out more information about our extensive list of services.